Agriculture
1. Multiple choice questions.
(i) Which one of the following describes a system of agriculture where a single crop is grown on a large area?
(a) Shifting Agriculture
(b) Plantation Agriculture
(c) Horticulture
(d) Intensive Agriculture
Answer: (b) Plantation Agriculture
(ii) Which one of the following is a rabi crop?
(a) Rice
(b) Gram
(c) Millets
(d) Cotton
Answer: (b) Gram
(iii) Which one of the following is a leguminous crop?
(a) Pulses
(b) Jawar
(c) Millets
(d) Sesamum
Answer: (a) Pulses
2. Answer the following questions in 30 words.
(i) Name one important beverage crop and specify the geographical conditions required for its growth.
Answer: One important beverage crop is Tea. It grows well in tropical and sub-tropical climates with fertile well-drained soil rich in humus, warm and moist frost-free climate, and frequent showers.
(ii) Name one staple crop of India and the regions where it is produced.
Answer: The staple crop of India is Rice. It is mainly produced in plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal and deltaic regions, and with irrigation in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
(iii) Enlist the various institutional reform programmes introduced by the government in the interest of farmers.
Answer: Institutional reforms include land reforms, consolidation of holdings, abolition of zamindari, cooperative societies, crop insurance, Kisan Credit Card (KCC), Grameen banks, and minimum support price schemes for protecting farmers.
3. Answer the following questions in about 120 words.
(i) Suggest the initiative taken by the government to ensure the increase in agricultural production.
Answer: After Independence, the government introduced several initiatives to improve agriculture. Institutional reforms like land reforms, abolition of zamindari, and consolidation of holdings were taken. During the 1960s and 70s, the Green Revolution with HYV seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation facilities increased productivity. The White Revolution (Operation Flood) improved dairy production. Later, comprehensive land development programmes included provision of crop insurance against droughts, floods and other risks, establishment of Grameen Banks, cooperatives and Kisan Credit Cards for easy loans. Minimum Support Price (MSP), remunerative prices and procurement policies protected farmers from exploitation. Weather bulletins and agricultural programmes on radio and TV also benefited them. These steps together ensured better production and farmer security.
(ii) Describe the geographical conditions required for the growth of rice.
Answer: Rice is the staple food crop of India and a major kharif crop. It requires high temperature above 25°C and high humidity. Annual rainfall above 100 cm is ideal, but in areas of less rainfall, irrigation supports cultivation. Rice is mainly grown in the plains of north and north-eastern India, coastal regions, and deltaic areas. Dense canal irrigation and tubewells have enabled rice cultivation in Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan where rainfall is low. Fertile alluvial soil of river valleys and deltaic regions also favour its growth. In states like Assam, West Bengal and Odisha, three crops of rice—Aus, Aman and Boro—are grown annually due to favourable climatic and water conditions.
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